- A
Use an AWS Lambda function that runs periodically across all accounts to check and remediate buckets.
Why wrong: This is event-driven and reactive, not preventive; also complex to manage across accounts.
- B
Use an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketEncryption actions unless the encryption is set to aws:kms.
SCPs can prevent the creation of non-compliant buckets across all accounts in the organization.
- C
Use AWS Config rules in each account to detect unencrypted buckets and trigger auto-remediation.
Why wrong: Config rules need to be set up in each account and do not prevent creation; they only detect.
- D
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor PutBucketEncryption calls and alert the security team.
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs events but does not enforce policies; it only provides visibility.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company runs a multi-account AWS environment using AWS Organizations. The security team wants to ensure that all S3 buckets across all accounts are encrypted with AWS KMS. What is the MOST scalable and efficient way to enforce this policy?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketEncryption actions unless the encryption is set to aws:kms.
Option B is correct because using a service control policy (SCP) that denies s3:PutBucketEncryption unless the encryption is set to aws:kms is the most scalable and efficient way to enforce encryption across all accounts in an AWS Organization. SCPs are applied centrally and affect all accounts without requiring per-account configuration. Option A is less scalable because a periodic Lambda function may have delays and requires managing cross-account roles. Option C is per-account and requires Config rules and remediation in each account, which is less efficient. Option D only provides monitoring and alerting, not enforcement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use an AWS Lambda function that runs periodically across all accounts to check and remediate buckets.
Why it's wrong here
This is event-driven and reactive, not preventive; also complex to manage across accounts.
- ✓
Use an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketEncryption actions unless the encryption is set to aws:kms.
Why this is correct
SCPs can prevent the creation of non-compliant buckets across all accounts in the organization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Config rules in each account to detect unencrypted buckets and trigger auto-remediation.
Why it's wrong here
Config rules need to be set up in each account and do not prevent creation; they only detect.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor PutBucketEncryption calls and alert the security team.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs events but does not enforce policies; it only provides visibility.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — study guide chapter
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Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketEncryption actions unless the encryption is set to aws:kms. — Option B is correct because using a service control policy (SCP) that denies s3:PutBucketEncryption unless the encryption is set to aws:kms is the most scalable and efficient way to enforce encryption across all accounts in an AWS Organization. SCPs are applied centrally and affect all accounts without requiring per-account configuration. Option A is less scalable because a periodic Lambda function may have delays and requires managing cross-account roles. Option C is per-account and requires Config rules and remediation in each account, which is less efficient. Option D only provides monitoring and alerting, not enforcement.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SAP-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SAP-C02 exam.
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